North Carolina vs Iowa: 5 significant storylines in 2020-21 matchup

A victory puts both conferences on notice

By the time the final buzzer sounds to end the game between Michigan State and Virginia, which will effectively signal the end of the 2020 ACC/Big Ten Challenge, there will be a lot more information in order to determine which conference is better. The game between North Carolina and Iowa is particularly important when making that determination.

As a result of Michigan State already defeating Duke in the Champions Classic, the Big Ten earned another team in the AP’s top-10. Michigan State did this at the expense of the top ACC team at the time, while, Michigan State was the fourth-ranked Big Ten team. North Carolina has an opportunity to be responsible for knocking Iowa out of the top five while entering the top 10 themselves.

This would be a great win, not only for North Carolina, as it would put Duke on notice that they can succeed in beating a top-ranked Big Ten team when Duke could not. It is also great for the ACC as Duke’s freshman ladened team will have difficulty against Illinois, and Virginia does not look poised to shut down Michigan State. A win will place North Carolina as the top ACC team before conference play begins.

As much as a Tar Heels’ win would benefit Coach Williams’ squad immediately, an Iowa win would help them stay ahead of Illinois and Michigan State while helping the Big Ten as a whole in the long-run, thus helping Iowa by default come Selection Sunday.

The Big Ten has the opportunity to be the clearcut best conference in basketball at the conclusion of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, nothing spells No.1 seed in March like being the best team in the best conference, whether it is Michigan State, Illinois, or Iowa.